Thursday

Tim Hortons Gluten Free Macaroons - Review


With all the talk of American franchise Dunkin Donuts offering an array of pre packaged Gluten Free goodies, you can imagine my delight when out of nowhere Canada's beloved Timmy's surprised us with Gluten Free coconut macaroons! Totally unexpected AWESOMENESS right?!


Yes, I have a sweet tooth ;)






Let's talk about why I am loving this yummy treat -

  • Tim Horton's rolled this product out the right way - with Celiac customers in mind. A first of it's kind in Canada.
  • It is certified Gluten Free through the Canadian Celiac Association's Gluten Free Certification Program and that is no easy feat. They have very strict policies that keep Celiac health a number one priority.Check my photo above for the seal of approval.
  • Price point is $1.29 for a pack of two macaroons. That alone says that Tim Hortons cares as they are not attempting to nickel and dime us like most companies who venture into the Gluten Free world.
  • Each package is individually wrapped and prepared off site in a dedicated facility.















I would not  consider myself a coconut fan but I really enjoyed the texture and flavour of this sweet little meringue style confection! The added bonus of a chocolate drizzle is just enough without going overboard. If you are not normally a sweets person, this is most likely not a product for you. 

They are small enough to fit in a purse or a small lunch bag while being packed full of flavour. Makes for an easy to take "just in case" snack for those adventurous moments where something Gluten Free may not be easily accessible.

It's a great product for a treat and by treat I mean something that is consumed in moderation. Yeah, it's quite sweet so lets go there for a nano second - This is a snack. It is by no means meant to be healthy. Does anyone honestly walk into a donut shop and expect health food? I think not. So with that being said I applaud Tim Hortons efforts to create a Gluten Free item on their menu.

We now have an option on the road. Seeing as there is a Tim Hortons on nearly every block and every major highway exit in Canada, finding these babies should be easy peasy. We drove to Florida last year and a certified option like this would have been a welcome convenience! I can imagine the joy of Celiac cottage goers as well. 

The website states that the Gluten Free macaroons are available for "a limited time" which is kind of disappointing. But I understand that they probably want to see how well it is received before they make any long term decisions regarding it. I for one am hoping that this product does well. If it does, perhaps we could see Gluten Free prepackaged muffins and donuts in our future.


Thank you Tim Hortons for being Celiac friendly!



*Disclosure : I was sent a free sample of Tim Hortons Gluten Free Macaroons. My opinion is that of my own and was in no way affected.

Saturday

Easy Eats For A Gluten Free Trip

With Summer finally here, that means a lot of us will be going on little getaways. Driving, flying or just spending the day away from home, it's always best to have a safe food plan. Below is a list of my favourite items for on the go and the best part (aside from taste) is that they do NOT require heating or cooling. How's that for simplistic awesome?!




Enjoy Life Mountain Mambo is a tasty seed and fruit mix that comes in a resealable pouch. I love this product and buy it regularly! It's the perfect trail mix with it's lovely balance of sweet and salty. There is also just enough chocolate to fill that sugar craving while maintaining it's healthiness.










I stumbled across these by accident when we drove to Walt Disney World last October. What a genius idea - they really are a picnic meal in a box. The Turkey Pepperoni & Cheese was my absolute favorite!

Bummer note - currently not available in Canada. Will have to stock up next time I'm in the States!





LARABAR Fruit and Nut Bars are a very convenient travel item. The Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough bar is one of my favourites - it really is like eating cookie dough! There are 19 different kinds of bars, 9 of which are available in Canada. 




These cookies offer the right amount of sweetness and the perfect snap of crunch. I buy them in individual packages of two at my local Bulk Barn. The large boxes are great for home, but the smaller double packs are perfect for on the go. Each of the 4 flavours gets a star in my book!

Friday

Do YOU Have Any Gluten Free Pet Peeves?

10 The use of the word Celiacs. Celiac is derived from the Greek word koiliakos, which means abdominal. Not trying to be the word police, but hey lets get the name of our lifelong special feature right ;)

9 Crazy people who think that I should only eat 100% healthy because I am Gluten Free. Don't try to unjunk my GF junk food and I promise that I will only eat it in moderation, along with my fruits and veggies.

8 The assumption that GF is healthy for EVERYONE. *bangs head on desk*

7 When people say that they wish that they had my willpower so that they could lose weight. *Facepalm*

6 Restaurants with GF options but no formal training on how to keep them that way

5 The smart ass who decided that everything Gluten Free shall be the same price as a brick of gold

4 People who get bent out of shape at the mention of, or hope for a Celiac Disease cure.There is always a risk for product recalls due to mislabelling or CC. I would rather at least be able to take something to prevent serious damage after a mishap than not.

3 Diet and Gluten Free in the same sentence. So very, very wrong and misleading. Ever hear of anyone on the Nut Free Diet or taking up a Shellfish Free Lifestyle? Nope.

2 People who only discuss Gluten Free in the media to make money off of a book or product which they are selling. These people also never advocate for Celiac Awareness. I'm looking at you Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Gwyneth Paltrow.

1 When someone says that they are supposed to eat Gluten Free due to Celiac or an intolerance, then openly admit that they do not stick to the regime 100%. You are part of the problem, not the solution. Buck up or shut up.



Disclosure

This policy is valid from 23 February 2013

This is a personal blog written and edited by me. All opinions are that of my own. I am not a healthcare professional or an expert. All information presented in this blog is purely that of my own experience and or opinion. Please consult a medical professional before making any changes to your diet.

I write this blog as a hobby that I am passionate about. From time to time, I may receive monetary compensation for a sponsored post. I only work with brands that I trust and would use in my own home.

This blog accepts complimentary products for review. The opinions I have of a product will never be swayed by a company sending me an item(s) for free. I take into consideration the opinion of family members who are gluten-free due to Celiac Disease and I also value the opinions of non-gluten free family members. Taste is a matter of personal opinion so please use your own discretion and don't take my opinion as a gold standard.

Any ingredient or gluten-free claims should be verified with the restaurant/manufacturer as things can and do change.

For questions about this blog, please contact: sandra@glutenfreedoll.com

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